Cassandra Vitiello Begins Her Jewelry Career at CJExpo in Toronto

  In 2017, Cassandra Vitiello won the Vaccaro Family Scholarship with her entry called "Stars, Hide Your Fires." To emphasize the year's theme, "Canadian Elements," Cassandra fashioned the pendant out of sterling silver and embedded three bezel set garnets in the sky. She sculpted the silver hills using the lost wax method with a cuttlefish bone.  

Cassandra Vitiello, Canadian Jewelry Designer

Cassandra Vitiello immersed herself in the study of art, beginning at John Abbott College. In particular, she studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture. As a hobby, she made wire-wrapped and beaded jewelry. She soon learned that the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCAD) offered a jewelry program. She recently graduated from their jewelry design and metalsmithing programs. Her first exhibition is coming up this August 12th through 14th. During the Canadian Jewellery Expos, held in Toronto, Canada, visitors can view Canadian jewelry designer's work up close and in person. This opportunity for Cassandra to share her work at the "crossroads for the industry" is a testament to her talent and to the generosity and pay-it-forward ethos of the Giovanni 'John' Vaccaro. {1}  

Giovanni 'John' Vaccaro

John Vaccaro moved from France to Canada when he was just 4 years old. Unfortunately, his father sustained an injury that ended his career in forestry. After that, his father signed up with a governmental retraining program. He chose to learn the skill of jewelry polishing, as did his wife. When John was 8 years old, he began his apprenticeship with his father in jewelry polishing. Though he appreciated his father's tutelage, he found that he felt more passionate about diamond setting. After graduating from George Brown College, he secured another apprenticeship, this time with A & A Jewellers. The Canadian manufacturing firm took a chance on him, giving him a small wage and encouraging him to do his best. After many years of learning the manufacturing side of jewelry, he and his brother Cosmo wanted to open a jewelry manufacturing firm of their own. Their parents encouraged them to pay their dues on the retail side of the business first. Seventeen years later, they received their parents' blessing to start their own manufacturing company.  

Beverly Hills Jewellers

Beverly Hills Jewellers opened its doors in 1999. Unfortunately, Cosmo passed away from a serious brain infection in 2006. John struggled with the loss of his brother and business partner. However, after several months of grieving, he rallied himself around the promise they made to each other to keep the business going for their children. Despite the loss and struggles that ensued, Beverly Hills Jewellers remains true to their mission to create exquisite, elegant jewelry made by Canadians in Canada using as many Canadian resources as possible. "My parents always said that if it wasn't for Canada, they would not have had the opportunities they had. It was something that was very dear to them and has always stayed with me and Cosmo," John told Jacquie De Almeida. {2}  

The Vaccaro Family Scholarship

This is the 5th annual design competition sponsored by CJ Expos and Giovanni 'John' Vaccaro, of Beverly Hills Jewellers in Ontario.  John continues to commit himself to the encouragement and mentorship of the next generation of Canadian jewelers. From this desire to nourish up-and-coming jewelry designers, the Vaccaro Family Scholarship was born. "The scholarship is about giving someone a chance to be allowed to do what they love doing. There's nothing better than coming to work and loving what you do," John says. {3} Without reservation, we invite you to view the premiere exhibition of 2017's scholarship winner, Cassandra Vitiello, on August 12-14. In addition, we hope you will enjoy the exhibition of this year's applicants around the the "Starry Night" theme. Find more information on the CJ Expos website.  

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Sabharwal, Kavita. "Giving Back." Canadian Jeweller, December/January 2014. 2. De Almeida, Jacquie. "Beverly Hills Jewellers: Paying it Forward." Jewellery Business, May 1, 2014. 3. Ibid.